By FireRescue1 Staff
LIMA, Peru — Funeral services for three firefighters killed earlier this week were held Wednesday.
During the Tuesday blaze, three firefighters entered the burning factory to rescue trapped workers; the roof collapsed while they were inside.
“My deepest condolences to the families of firefighters Alonso Salas, Raul Lee Sanchez and Eduardo Jimenez for this unfortunate tragedy,” Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski tweeted. “The work of a firefighter is exemplary. We will work to improve the conditions in which they work.”
At the wake, the firefighters were awarded the City of Lima Medal, the highest honor public servants can earn, reported Peru Reports.
The deaths shed light on the county’s lack of compensation benefits firefighters receive. Officials said firefighters don’t get health insurance, and are only covered for injuries sustained while battling a fire; injuries at the fire station are not covered. Furthermore, firefighters do not receive a pension after retiring.
“There is much to be done for firefighters, and I also suggest better equipment,” Congressman Carlos Tubino said. “Unfortunately, we only examine ourselves when these things happen. We are a country that is sensitive to these things, and these initiatives move faster when this happens.”